Senate Dems ask Chu for report on US clean-energy investment

Senate Democrats asked Energy Secretary Steven Chu Wednesday for a report detailing where the United States stands on clean-energy investment.

The request is part of an intensifying push by Democrats to rebut Republican criticism of the Obama administration’s renewable-energy investments in light of the September bankruptcy of Solyndra, a California solar panel manufacturer that received a $535 million loan guarantee from the Energy Department in 2009.

Democrats hope to highlight the growing divide between the United States and other major economies when it comes to clean-energy spending.

“As strong supporters of energy efficiency, renewable energy and advanced clean technologies, we write to you to request an update from the Department of Energy on our progress as a nation in clean technology deployment and American job creation in this sector,” the 22 senators — 20 Democrats and two Independents — wrote in a letter to Chu Wednesday.

Chu, along with other top Obama administration officials, has long argued that the United States is losing the “clean energy race” to countries like China, which has invested billions in low-carbon technologies.

In the aftermath of the Solyndra bankruptcy, Chu has dismissed Republican criticism of the administration’s clean-energy investments.

“These are really, really big deal things and so if anything happens, you don’t just say ‘oh my gosh, stop everything.’ Nobody does that anywhere in the world, and that is not part of our playbook,” Chu said during a short interview with The Hill Saturday.

Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.) — who signed on to Wednesday’s letter — said earlier this week that he hopes to further examine U.S. clean-energy investment during an upcoming hearing.

Still, Republicans have pounced on the Solyndra bankruptcy, alleging that the administration mishandled the loan and raising concerns about future renewable-energy loan guarantees.

The administration, for its part, has denied any wrongdoing related to the Solyndra loan guarantee.

President Obama, in a recent interview, said he doesn’t regret holding up Solyndra as a model for jobs and clean energy.

"No, I don't, because if you look at the overall portfolio of loan guarantees that have been provided, overall it's doing well,” Obama said.

Solyndra filed for bankruptcy in early September and laid off 1,100 workers.